BERACHOS 27 (10 Elul) - This Daf has been dedicated in memory of Sheina Basha (daughter of Yakov and Dora) Zuckerman, who passed away on 10 Elul, by her children and sons in law.

12TH CYCLE:

(16 Adar) - Dedicated by Mr. Avi Berger of Queens, NY, in memory of his father, Reb Pinchas ben Reb Avraham Yitzchak, on the day of his Yahrzeit.

SUMMARY

1. There is a dispute about whether one should recite Musaf or Minchah first when the times for the two prayers coincide.

2. The Gemara states, with regard to the time for Minchah, that one may follow either the Tana Kama or Rebbi Yehudah (see Daf 26, #3).

3. The Gemara relates that Rav said Ma'ariv of Shabbos before nightfall, and that he did not step backwards at the conclusion of his Shemoneh Esreh when his student was still praying behind him.

4. The Gemara concludes that only a student who is also considered a colleague of his teacher may pray directly behind him.

5. In the days of the Tana'im there was a dispute about whether Ma'ariv was optional or obligatory.

A BIT MORE

1. Tana Kama: One should recite Minchah first, since Minchah is recited more frequently than Musaf, and the rule is that a more frequent Mitzvah is done before a less frequent Mitzvah. Rebbi Yehudah: One should recite Musaf first, because the time for Musaf is about to pass (he maintains that Musaf must be recited before seven hours have passed), whereas he has the rest of the day to recite Minchah.

2. The Gemara proves that Rav followed the opinion of Rebbi Yehudah, while Rav Huna and the Rabanan followed the Tana Kama. It concludes that following either opinion is acceptable.

3. The Gemara derives three laws from this incident: One may say Ma'ariv of Shabbos before nightfall, a student may pray behind his Rebbi, and one may not pass in front of a person who is saying Shemoneh Esreh.

4. However, a student who is not a colleague of his teacher may not pray directly behind him or directly next to him.

5. Rebbi Yehoshua said that Ma'ariv is optional. Raban Gamliel said that it is obligatory. When Raban Gamliel publicly denigrated Rebbi Yehoshua for his opinion (or, more specifically, for not admitting, when asked in public, that this was his opinion) and commanded him to stand during the public lectures, the people decided to remove Raban Gamliel from his position of Nasi.